MRI: Acquisition of SAXS for Nanostructural Characterization of Self-Assembled Materials

CTS-0521079-MRI 步行者 卡内基梅隆大学 该项目提供资金购买一台实验室小角X射线散射（SAXS）设备，用作共享“设施”。“最初，该设施将由代表卡内基梅隆大学（CMU）2个学院6个系的9个研究小组使用。连接所有项目的主题是基于自组装纳米结构材料的技术和应用的开发。虽然材料和应用的类型差异很大，但共同的需求是对纳米级结构进行直接原位定量。拟议的SAXS设备满足了该小组的需求，因为它是一种模块化的，坚固的仪器，维护要求相对较低。有一个实验室可以容纳拟议的装置，四名高级调查员已经制定了一项计划，以监督该设施的定期维护、安排和使用。一个显着的需要，可访问的，在内部SAXS已在CMU的几个部门。CMU的SAXS设施将吸引更多的研究人员，培养一批研究生、博士后和受过纳米结构表征（特别是自组装系统）分析技术培训的教师。智力优势：CMU目前缺乏适当的结构表征设备，阻碍了自组装纳米结构材料及其应用的研究。如果没有一个确定特点和培训的中央设施，就无法认识到发起新项目和新想法的潜力。一个可访问的SAXS设备促进了现有的研究和新的合作和项目的核心。目前，有一个核心小组的教师和项目集中在利用嵌段共聚物中的自组装来控制有机和无机材料的纳米级结构。由于CMU的专业知识和跨学科环境，这些项目涵盖了基于组装嵌段共聚物的技术的合成，完整表征和设备开发。正在进行的项目包括开发基于导电聚合物的传感器技术、3D结构的有机-无机纳米复合材料和纳米结构薄膜的新型加工范例等。与该核心小组相关的是一些项目，涵盖了更广泛的材料，具有类似的纳米级表征需求。这些项目包括DNA分离和组织工程应用中生物大分子自组装的控制（通过合成），以及微流体应用中受限几何形状中纳米颗粒组装的控制和2D纳米颗粒阵列的形成。更广泛的影响：该设备的可访问性将允许培训工程师和科学家使用SAXS进行纳米结构表征。这种直接接触将影响CMU的研究生，博士后和本科研究人员。工业研究人员将通过现有的短期课程，研究财团和与教师的合作参与。参与该设施的不同研究小组之间的互动增加，将为开发模块提供机会，向各种年龄组教授分子自组装和纳米技术的基本思想。目前，CMU非常成功的外展计划中没有一个涉及讨论纳米尺度现象或纳米技术的计划。该提案的高级研究人员已经参与了这些推广计划，中央SAXS设施将允许必要的互动，以开发简单但解释性的工具，通过CMU的各种推广计划进行传播

CTS-0521079-MRI Walker Carnegie Mellon University Acquisition of SAXS for Nanostructural Characterization of Self-Assembled Materials This project provides funds to purchase a laboratory small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) device to be used as a shared "facility." Initially, the facility will be used by nine research groups representing 6 departments in 2 colleges at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). The theme that connects all of the projects is the development of technologies and applications based on self-assembled nano-structured materials. While the types of materials and applications vary significantly, the common need is for direct in situ quantification of nano-scale structure. The proposed SAXS device meets the needs of the group, as it is a modular, robust instrument with relatively low maintenance requirements. A laboratory is available to house the proposed device, and four of the senior investigators have developed a plan to oversee the regular maintenance, scheduling and use of the facility. A significant need for accessible, in-house SAXS has developed in several departments at CMU. The SAXS facility at CMU will attract more researchers, nucleating a group of graduate students, post-docs and faculty trained in the analytical techniques necessary for characterization of nano-scale structure, particularly in self-assembled systems.Intellectual Merit: Research in self-assembled nanostructured materials and applications was currently hindered at CMU by a lack of appropriate structural characterization equipment. The potential for initiation of new projects and ideas is not being recognized without a central facility for characterization and training. An accessible SAXS device facilitates existing research and nucleates new collaborations and projects. Currently, there is a core group of faculty and projects focused on utilizing self-assembly in block copolymers to control nano-scale structure in both organic and inorganic materials. Because of the expertise available and interdisciplinary environment at CMU, these projects span the synthesis, complete characterization and device development of technologies based on assembled block copolymers. Ongoing projects involve development of sensor technology based on conductive polymers, 3D-structured organic-inorganic nano-composites and novel processing paradigms for nano-structured thin films, among others. Associated with this core group are a number of projects covering a broader range of materials with a similar need for nano-scale characterization. These projects include the control (through synthesis) of self assembly of bio-macro-molecules for DNA separation and tissue engineering applications as well as the control of nano-particle assembly in confined geometries for microfluidic applications and formation of 2D Nano-particle arrays.Broader Impact: Accessibility of this equipment will allow for training of engineers and scientists in the use of SAXS for nano-structural characterization. This direct exposure will impact graduate students, postdoctoral and undergraduate researchers at CMU. Industrial researchers will be involved through an existing short course, research consortia and collaborations with faculty members. The increased interactions between different research groups involved with the facility will provide the opportunity for developing modules to teach the basic ideas of molecular self-assembly and nano-technology to a wide variety of age groups. Currently, none of the highly successful outreach programs at CMU involve programs discussing nano-scale phenomena or nano-technology. Senior investigators on this proposal are already involved in these outreach programs, a central SAXS facility will allow for the interactions necessary to develop simple, yet explanatory tools for dissemination through various outreach programs at CMU